News

Tuesday, Oct. 4, 2011

ContactSilvia Lugo, School of Arts and Communication (619) 421-6700, ext. 5895 or slugo@swccd.edu

"The Waiting Room" offers a darkly humorous look at beauty

CHULA VISTA -- The Theatre Department of the School of Arts and Communication presents “The Waiting Room,” Lisa Loomer’s thought-provoking dark comedy about the timeless quest for beauty — and its cost.

Directed by Southwestern College theatre professor Mark Pentilescu, “The Waiting Room” explores the lives of three women from different time periods, each suffering from the effects of her society’s cosmetic body modification practices:

Forgiveness from Heaven is an eighteenth-century Chinese woman whose bound feet are causing her to lose her toes.

Victoria is a 19th-century tightly corseted English woman suffering from what is commonly known as "hysteria."

Then there is Wanda, a modern gal from New Jersey having problems with her silicone breasts.

Husbands, doctors, Freud, the drug industry and the FDA all come under examination. The play is a wild ride through medical and sexual politics, including the politics of the ever-present battle with breast cancer.

“The Waiting Room” runs Oct. 19-30 in Southwestern College’s Mayan Hall Theatre. Performances will be at 7:30 p.m. on Oct. 19-22 and Oct. 26-29, with a final performance at 2 p.m. on Oct. 30.

The Mayan Hall Theatre box office will open one hour before each performance. Tickets are $12 general admission, $8 for students, seniors and college employees. Seating is limited. Information: (619) 482-6367.

About Southwestern College

Accredited since 1964, Southwestern College is the only public institution of higher education in southern San Diego County, serving approximately 400,000 residents of communities including Bonita, Chula Vista, Imperial Beach, National City, Nestor, Otay Mesa, Palm City, San Ysidro, Sunnyside and Coronado. The College District offers more than 300 associate degree and certificate options.